Baseball

Coach: Dan Leland

Last year’s record: 11-9 lost in quarterfinal to Cape Elizabeth

Key players: Danny Place, Junior 1st team all Western Maine Conference catcher, .465 5HR 24 RBI, threw out 16 out of a possible 26 base stealers; Travis Linehan, Senior four-year varsity center fielder, last year’s clean up hitter, will also be the Lakers’ closer; Austin Wood, Senior, second base; Mike Shea, Junior, SS; Sam Maker, Senior, 3B/SP; Josh VanEeuwen, Junior, P/3B

Newcomers to the team: Matt Langadas, Senior, 1B; Jared Black, Junior, OF; Zach Allen, Sophomore, P/OF; Adam Shane, Senior, 1B/3B/OF; Josh Robbins, Junior, C; Dakota Bush, Sophomore, 2B/OF/C; Alex Hartford, Sophomore, SS/P; Alex Hall, Sophomore, P; Jacob Anderson, Sophomore, 2B

Season outlook: “Many of our key pieces are back with another year of experience,” Leland said. “We are pretty strong up the middle and the kids moving into the corners are very good athletes. For example, Matt Langadas hasn’t played baseball in high school but I wouldn’t be one bit surprised if he isn’t an all-conference player by the way he has looked in the preseason. Sam Maker and Josh VanEeuwen look very good as well.”

One thing that Leland is looking for as the Lakers get ready for the season is leadership. “We have a good group, but no one has grabbed the bull by the horns yet,” he said. “I’m concerned about our laid-back style of play. We don’t have that energy guy yet. The door is open, it will be interesting to see who steps inside and demands it. Also, there are big shoes to fill with key losses of Brandon Chase, Cody Leland and MacGregor White due to graduation.”

With mild weather so far this spring, the Lakers, along with plenty of other local teams have been able to get on the field earlier than they have in previous years, and Leland said that will be a huge help. “Unlike other seasons, we are actually getting some field time prior to our opening game, that extra time should improve our defensive play,” he said. “We have been able to see live pitching off the mound and hit very well. I’m pleased with our progress.”

Leland has high hopes for his pitching staff this season. “Josh VanEeuwen was our No. 1 pitcher last year and he should only be a little stronger,” he said. “Zach Allen fished the season with a one-hit win at Freeport and with a strong four-inning performance in our prelim game, getting the win against Maranacook. The biggest thing will be our ability to throw strikes and minimize mistakes. We have to go out there and just play constant ball to be competitive. No free rides, no walks and mental mistakes. If we take care of the little things, the big things will take care of themselves.”

Boys lacrosse

Coach: Don White

Last year’s record: This is the first year for the Lakers as a varsity program

Key players: White said the entire roster is key

Season outlook: “We are excited for our first year as a varsity lacrosse program,” White said. “We are moving from being a club program with a JV schedule to a varsity program after only one year. We went from having 19 players last year to 33 players this year. Some of the sophomores and freshmen have been playing lacrosse for about five years, but the juniors and seniors will only be their second year of lacrosse. We are hoping to

build on the improvement we saw throughout last year. The experience of playing several of the top Class A schools should really help as we move up to the varsity level.”

Boys outdoor track

Coaches: Mark Snow and Ian Carlson

Last year’s record: 4 – 8

Key athletes: Zach Tomkinson, 400 meters, triple jump, discus; Dillon Knudsen, 800 meters; Tom Jamison, high jump; Ryo Sugino, triple jump; Anthony Shaw, sprints; Mark MacDougall, 1600 meters

Key meet this season: The Western Maine conference meet

Season outlook: “We have a small team, but our schedule is favorable,” Snow said. “I think our regular season record will be better. Our league performance will hinge on our key members and our relays.”

Girls outdoor track

Coaches: Dana Caron and Ian Carlson

Last year’s record: 7 – 6

Key athletes: Betsy Balchunas, discus and hurdles; Doe Leckie, hurdles; Hannah Flagg, hurdles; Samantha Dole, 100 meters and 200 meters; Vanessa Johnston, racewalk; Jacqui Black, 1600 meters and 3200 meters; Hannah Perkins, 400 meters; Kelsey Winslow, discus and 400 meters

Key meet this season: The Western Maine Conference meet

Season outlook: “The team is comprised of mostly underclassmen,” Caron said. “With them we should cover the events well. Our depth should also help us improve our regular season record. Quality usually dominates the championship meets. Our quality should improve each week of the season.”

The Lake Region softball, boys tennis, girls tennis and girls lacrosse previews were not available as of press time.

Copy the Story Link